Check-writing machine.



H. C. WELTER.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-7.1916.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET '1 fle yzzan 6T Melba) 116 By H. C. WELTER.

CHECKWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mac, 7, 1916.

Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

lllllllll H. C. WELTER.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATl0N IfILED DEC. 1. 1916.

1 ,278,265 PatentedSebt. 10, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

. I INVENTOR 11 1771022 6'! Waite ATTORNEY 8 1i 9 1 1H r w p5 6T SW d 68 t5 n 6 t a P B) a 7L H. C. WELTER. CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-7,1916.

4 lA/I/E/VTOR fiermun $1 Welter 5 SHE'ETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

' BY W:

A TTORNEV TED stares earner ni ric.

HERMAN c. WELTER, or nonlinear ER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR To HALL-WELTER COMPANY,'INC., OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK."

CHECK-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 10:1918- Application filed December 7, 1916. Serial No. 135,521.

written and in such a manner as to prevent erasure, for frainlnlently raising the amount payable, by breaking the paper throughout the printed surface and forcing ink into the disrupted fibers.

The main object of the invention is to provide an automatically operable means for feeding a check. or other instrument. variable distances to secure equal spacing between the printed words or characters and adaptedfor use with machines of the class in which the lines of type are arranged on the periphery of a wheel parallel. with its axis of rotation and in which the type wheel and platen are movable relatively toward each other to perform th printing operation;

I aeeoi-nplish this object by means of feeding mechanism especially designed for and shown as embodied in an ilnproved machine of the lass described for which a patent application was tiled by me under date of l\Itll' ll I llllli. Serial No. 81,797. Such a machine is simple and st rong in eonstrt'ietion, and both easily and quicklyoperable, the. type wheel being the movable member in the printing operation. 'lhebody is designed to permit instruments in writing other than the ordinary eheck or draft, as invoices, stock cert ilieat'es. etc.. to be placed in the machine and printed along any desired line thereof: and the writing visible.that is, each word is brought into view of the operator before operation is begun to print the succeedingword or character.

Another object .is-to provide an adjust-' ment to the cheek feeding means whereby the length of the spacing between the printed words or characters may be predeterniinable.

Another object is to provide means for positively locking the feeding wheels against rotation. after each successive forward movement of the cheek. until after the next printing operation, thus holding the check against any accidental movement which would result in unequal spacin f; I

A still further object of the invention lies in the improved hand lever which is actuated to move [the type. wheel into printing operation and to effect the operation of the feeding mechanism.

The invention will 'firsbbe described and will then be particularly defined in the claims hereinafter set forth.

The accompanying drawings illustrating the invention are as follows,;- I

Figures 1 and 2 are opposite side elevations of the. machine; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base with part of the cover plate removed and with the rear portion of the top part of the casing showi'r in sect on along the line .r l of Fig. 1; Fig. l, a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 5, a vertical seetional view taken along the line F y of Fig. 2: Fig. (i. a vertical sectional view as seen from the right and taken along the line of Fig. l, with parts of the operating mechanism shown in full; Fig. 7, a-vertical sectional view as seen from the left and taken along the line :1r-" i of Fig. l, with parts of the operating mechanism shown in full nd with ()tllel'pat'ts removed; Fig. 8, an end view from the left. with respect to Fig.7.of the feeding mechanism seen in suQh figure and with parts of the machine body shown in section: Fig. 9. a detail showing in front elevation the type wheel supporting member and parts operating therewith; Fig.

. 10. an end view-of the type wheel and the spacing wheel secured thereto; Fiq'. 11, a detail partly in section showing the means used for properly centering the type wheel; Fig. 12, a portion of the type wheel in end view and the means for. locking the same against rotation; Fig. 13, a plan .view of the type wheel locking means with parts of the machine body and the type wheel shown in section; Fig. 14, a detail partly in section showing the means for removably supporting the plates which carry the ink rollers; Fig. 15. a side view of the stripper device with parts of the printing and feeding 1necha nis'm shown in dotted lines; Fig. 16. a perspective view of the stripper; Fig. 17, an on larged plan View of the sub-inking platen; Fig. 18, a sectional view of the platen taken along the line :I*- I/* of Fig. 17; Fig. 19, a longitudinal sectional detail showing the type and platen in operative engagement;

Fig. 20, afragmentary portion of .the type wheel; and Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate the appearance of the face and reverse sides, re

spectively, of the check when printed. Similar reference numerals refer to $11111- lar parts throughout'the several views.

The casing or body 'of the machine con sists of two separable parts, a base and a top section. The base compr'isesa rectangular main front portion 1, having side walls which are reinforced by'both longitudinally and transversely extending ribs 2 and 3, re-

spectively, and arear extension 4; while thetop comprises a four walled upright member 5 from which extends forwardly. an arm or neck 6 which terminates in a depending head 7; The bottom of the upright member 5 is supported upon the extension member 4 of the base and secured thereto by means of dowel pins 8 and screws 9, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the screws extending through the top of the base and threaded into'the member 5.

The base portion 1 has-secured thereon by cally extending openings 15 forming guideways for the side arms 16 and 17 of a yoke 18 on the cross bar 19 of which are formed a pair of centrally-disposed upwardly extending ears 20. These ears are pivotally I connected with one'end of a link 21, the

v bers from theposition in which they are seen in Fig.7 to their normal and inopera-.

other end of which has, pivotal connection with-the outer ends of arms 22 formed on a member 23 extending between the sidewalls of the head 7 and secured on a shaft 24 revol bly mounted in such side walls. This s aft extends outwardly beyond the right hand wall, with respect to Figs. 4 and 5, and has secured thereon the hand operating lever 25. On the rod 26, forming the pivotal connection between the link 21 and arms 22,

there is a coiled spring 27 having its central portion engaging under the link while its ends engage agalnst the member 23, the action of the spring being to return such memtive'position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

when the lever 25 has been released by the hand of the operator.

I The lever 25 is secured near its center to the shaft 24 and has a thumb piece 29 bent from one end thereof while from the other end projects a handle 30 to be engaged by the fingers of the operator. "Thus it will be seen that both a push and a pull are exerted on the lever in ltS' angular throw,'and by havin both the thumb pieceand handle, as descri ed, the lever can be firmly grasped andis easily operatedby a slight movement of the wrist.

The side arms of the yoke 18 are sli dable.

in the vertical guide-ways 15 and the yoke .is held against lateral movement by side plates 31 and 32. covering the guide-ways and secured by screws to the outer faces of the side walls of the head 7. The plate 31 is slotted to receive and permit a raising and lowering with the yoke 18, which is effected by the lever members above described, of a horizontally extending shaft 33 revolubly mounted in the side arms 16 and 17 and on which and between such arms there is secured by a pin 34. the type wheel 35. This shaft extends outwardly beyond the left hand side wall of the head 7 and. has a dial wheel 36 secured thereon by a pin 37, such wheel being provided with suitable means,

as the knurled head 38, for readily turning the same to bring any one of the designating characters located on the periphery thereof into registration with thepointer 39 projecting from and secured to the side plate 31, as seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.

- The type wheel 35 carries on its periphery and, preferably, formed integrally therewith a plurality of equally spaced type bars 40- extending parallel with the axis o f'rotation, and characters designating the several lines of type are formed on the periphery of the dial wheel 36so that a selected line of type is brought into printing position above the A platen 13 by turning thedial wheel to bring corresponding designating characters there'- on directly under the pointer 39.

On one face of the type wheel 35 is a, projecting ring which is slotted to form a plurality of equally spaced lateral projections 41, the number of such slots being the same as that of the type bars 4c0 'and having their respective center lines in the same radial planes. The outer ends of these projections are beveled to receive in engagement therewith and between two adjacent ones thereof the correspondingly conformed lower end of a spring actuated plunger 42 the purpose of which is to cause the proper centering of the selected type bar and ;to yieldingly hold the type wheel against rotation I when not in engagement with the positive locking means, which latter comprises a member 43 extending inwardly from the lower end of the side plate 32 and conformed toengage within the slot between two adjacent-projections 41 when the type wheel is moved downward and before the type characters are brought into engagement with the platen, thus holding the wheel posivtively against the slightest rotary movement U during the prin ing operation. When the i to accomplish this the type and platen have type wheel is turned to bring a selected line of type into printing position, the plunger 42.is forced by the projections 41 upwardly .against the action of a coiled spring 44 contained within a hollow screw 45 threaded 'into the cross bar 19 oftheyoke-lS.

interfitting printing faces, such as pin points formed on the type whlch engage through perforations therefor in the platen, or alteris necessarily posite sides thereof below its axis.

nating parallel extending ridges and grooves formed on both members, the ridges of one member being adapted to enter .the grooves of the other, and in' either event the platen adjustably supported in order to secure proper registration.

The platen which I prefer to useand which is shown in the accompanying drawings is one made in accordance with an ins vention for which Letters Patent were issued to me under'da.te of March 7, 1916, No. 1,174,642. It comprises a bar 46 having a longitudinally extending channel for receiving a sub-inking pad 47 and across the channel, forming the face of the die or platen, are a plurality of equally spaced parallel extending wires 48, the ends of which are turned down and soldered to the sides of the bar 46, The type characters on the Wheel 35 are cut to form alternating ridges and grooves, the latter being adapted to receive the wires 48 of the platen while-the ridges engage between such wires to force the under face of the check into contact with the subinking pad 47 whereby ink is applied to the under face of the check as well as to the top, the means for the latter being hereinafter described. V V

The platen bar -46-isseated in a slot 49 cut lengthwise inthe boss 14 on the cen trally disposed rib 3 of the base portion 1. The side walls'thus formed on the boss 14 have a slot 51 cut thereacross to receive the shoulder 52 of a'screw 53 threaded longitudinally into the bar 46, whereby when turning the screw the same is caused to be the" fixed and the platen the movable member. Vertical adjustment is provided for by two screws 54 threaded upwardly through the support 14 and which engage the bottom of the bar 46 near its ends, while the platen is retained in proper position of adjustment by a centrallydisposed screw 55 threaded thereinto which extends upwardly through a slot opening therefor in the said support.

At 5.6 are two ink rollers extending parallel WVl ll l'l the type wheel 35 and located on op These rollers are supported in the outer ends of threaded into the ends matically rotated, in 'purpose heremafter described, and is held swinging brackets 57 'pivotally connected at their'inner ends to ears 5S bent from plates .59 secured to the members 60 which comprise cover plates for the cut away lower portions of the front and rear walls of the head 7. The ink rollers are at all times held in yielding contact with the type wheel by theaction of coiled springs 61 encircling the.

rods forming the pivotal connections between the brackets 57 and ears 58, and inkthe refrom is supplied to the type when turning the wheel to bring-different lines of type into printing position. A downward move-' ment of the type wheel causes the ink rollers I to be swung farther apart and to permit this the cover plates are of the curved formation shown. These plates are detachably held in place by having their bottom edges curved to engage over rods62 extending between the side walls of the, head 7 and by a centrally positioned locking member for each, such as that shown at 63 in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6; The rods 62 are secured to place, as seen in sectional detail in Fig. 14, Joy-screws 64 thereof through the side walls of the head 7.

The feed rollers 12 are located one each 7 side and slightly in advance of the platen 13. with their peripheries engaging through slot openings in. the base plate 11 and pro jecting just above the surface thereof. They are carried on the ends of a sleeve 65 se: cured upon a rearwardly extending shaft 66 having bearings in the front and rear Walls ofthe machine base. This shaft is autoa manner and for the against longitudinal movement ,by a pin or screw 67 in one of the bearings, engaging the adjacent shoulders formed by the reduced portion 68 of the shaft. (SeeFi'g. 7.)

l lngaging the tops of the feed rollers 12 are small gripping rollers (39 mounted in ears extending outwardly from the lower portion of a plate 70 held in position against the outer face of the side cover plate 31 by screws 71. This plate 70 has a slight Wtl'tlt'ill i'novcmcnt in order to raise the rollers 69 from the feed rollers to permit the insertion of a check therebehveen, such movement being provided 'for by slots through which the, screws 71"cxtcud; and the means for raising the plate. 70 comprises I a lever 72 pivoted at its center to the side wall of the head 71 ()n the outer end of the lever 72 there is a projection 73 adapted to engage a centrally disposed opening thcrcs for in the plate 70,, on the inner end there is formed a member 74 to be engaged by the finger of the operator, while the downwardly extending arm 75 has connected tlurrewith one end of a coiled spring 76 the other end of which is fastened to a pin in the side wall'of the head 7. ()peratingjthe lever 72 causes a raising of the plate 70 which lifts the rollers 69 from engagement with the feed rollers 12, all of which is against the action .of the-spring 76 which member causes the parts to resume their normal positions, being that ndicated in the drawmgs, when pressure on the lever is released. The lower portion of the plate 7 O is ofi'set toward the platen, see Figs-2, 5 and 6, so that the gripping rollers 69 Wlllengage the tops of the feed rollers and, also, for the purpose of bringing the last printed Word into View before the succeeding printing operation is commenced.

Within the top part 5 of the-casing is a pinion 77 secured on. the inner end'of a shaft 78 revolubly mounted in a boss 79 formed on one of the side walls of such part of' the casing and having an operating head 80 on its outer end. This pinion causes a movement forward and back of a check gage comprising a sheet metal rack 81 on the forward end of which is a cross head 82 having formed thereon a plurality of projections bent to form inverted U-shape members 83 having their free ends engaging the surface. of the base plate 11 and forming a gage or fence against which the inner edge of the check 50, Figs. 2 and 15, engages and 1 vi whereby a proper alineinent of the printing is obtained.

The design of the machine is such that the space formed between the upright por-- tion 5 of the casing and the depending head 7 permits instrumentsother than the ordinary check or draft, such as invoices, stock certificates, etc., indicated at 84 in 'Fig. 1, to be placed in the machine and printed on any desired linethereof.

It is necessary to provide means whereby, after each printing operation, the material printed on will be prevented from being raised from the plate 11' by the type in the apart to allow a type bar 40 to engage be-;

return movement of the type wheel, and.'

to this end I make use of a movable stripper such asshown in Figs. 5, 6, 15 and 16. The device is formed of thin metal and comprises a pair of arms 85 extending downward from the side arm 17 of the yoke 18 to the bottom of the'typewheel 35 and thence under the wheel as shown, such arms being spaced tween them. Their outer ends are connected by a cross piece 86 while their inner ends areconnected by 'a member 87 secured .by screws to the bottom of the side arm 17 of the yoke and with which the stripper is raised. and lowered. The portions of the stripper arms under the type Wheel are inclined slightly sclthat the free ends' thereof will engage the check just prior to contact therewith of the type, and, consequently, on the upward movement of the parts the resiliency of the arms in resuming theirnormal inclined position will cause themrto hold the check in contact with the plate 11 for a brief period of time to effect a stripping of the check from the type while the latter moves clear of the platen.

It will be understood that the words or characters on the several type bars will be of different lengths, that in writinga check it is necessary to print a series of these along a single line, and that it is desirable to have the words" or characters uniformly spaced. This requires, in a machine having an automatic feed, means for advancing the check after each printing operation a dis the feed rollers against rotation after each advance of T e clieck until the proper time for its next for .fardginovement.

Slidable in vertically extending grooves cut in the side arm 16 of the yoke 18 are the arms of a U-sha pe spacing bar 89 which has a short inward rojection 90 at its lower end and a stud 91 carried by the upper end: of

the longer arm 92. This stud engages the slot in the bifurcated outer end of a rearwardly extending lever 93 which is pivoted near'its center on a stud 94 projecting in- ;wardly from the left hand side wall of the neck .6 of the casing and has a pin-and-slot connection 95 at its rearend'with an upwardly extending ear96 bent at right angles from a bar 97 extending downward through and guided in a' slot 98 in a plate 99 secured to the top of the base portion 4 over; the

opening 100 formed therein. Pivoted to the bar 97 near its upper end is the upper end of an angulal'ly disposed ratchet bar 101 ex-- tending downward through the slot opening 102 in the plate 99 and-engaging the ratchet wheel 103 secured to the feed roller shaft 66 near its rear end; and this bar.is at all times held in yielding'engagement with the ratchet wheel by the action of a' coiled spring 104 connecting the projections 105 and 106' formed'on the guide bar 97 and ratchet bar 101, respectively. The guide bar is ofi se't near its center to be out of alinement with the ratchet wheel andfjust below such "ofiset, has a projection 107 ,comprising a stop adapted to engage the top of a screw 108 threaded upwardly through the top wall of 1 the base portion 4 and provided with a lock nut 109. On the stud 94 isa coiled spring 110 one end of which engages a pin 111.carried by the lever 93 and the other end a fixed member, as the screw 112, on the casin I The action of this spring is to nor'mally holl the lever 93 in its in perative p sition, as in.

Fig. 6, with the projection 107 on the bar 97 engaging the stop screw 108, and with the spacing bar 89 in its uppermost position which is determined by the position of adjustment of the said screw 108.

Secured on the hub of the type wheel 35 is the spacing wheel 113 having a mutilated periphery divided into sections with equal angular measurement and corresponding in number to that of the type bars. \Vhen the type wheel is moved downward to engage the platen, it carries with it the spacing wheel 113 and the section of the periphery of the latter wheel corresponding with the selected word or character to be printed engages the projection 90 on the spacing bar 89, thus forcing the bar--d .\vnward. This movement of the spacing bar effects a rocking of the lever 93 which in turn raises the guide bar 97 and ratchet bar 101. Then, when the operating lever 25 has been released and the type wheel moves upward, the spring 110 will actuate the lever 93 to raise the spacing bar 89 and force the members 97 and 101 downward until the projection 107 on the bar 97 engages the stop 108,

the type wheel continuing in its movement until the bumpers 114 on the yoke 18, such members being shown in F igs.'5 and 6, engage the tons of the guide-ways in the head '7. In the downward movement of the ratchet bar 101 the teeth thereon will engage those on the ratchet wheel 103 imparting the desired' angular rotation thereto and, thereby,

through the shaft 66 a like angular rotation of the feed rollers 12 to advance the check the length of the printed word plus the space to be between that and the next word or "character to be printed. The pinan d-slot connection 95 of the'lever 93 and car 96 of the bar 97 provides for a slight lost motion whereby the stripper arms 85 will effect a' disengagement of thecheck from the type before rotation of the feed rollers com- IIIQLCQS.

As the words or characters on the type bars increase or decrease in length, a corre-- sponding greater or smaller feed of the check is necessary. To secure this a correspondingly longer or shorter stroke of the spacing bar 89 is necessary, which is determined by the time when the finger or projection 90 is engaged by the spacing wheel 113 in its downward movement with the type wheel. The more feed that is desired for the check the less must the spacing wheel be cut away to correspond and the less teed that is desired for the check the more will the spacing wheel be cut away for that particular type bar. The adjustment of the stop screw 108 determines the length of the space between the words or characters on the check. \Vhen the type wheel and spacing bar are in inoperative or raised position, the relati e position of the projection 90 and justable 108 the lower and free end of the ratchet bai- 101 simultaneously engages a stop com prising a portion 116 bentfrom a plate 117 riveted to the side wall of the base portion 4, and the member 116 holds the-ratchet bar in position to positively lock the ratchet wheel against rotation after each forward movement of the check until the next printing operation is commenced. This stop member 116 can be bent by a suitable tool to compensate for any adjustment of the screw 108, it being essential that both the stops be engaged simultaneously by their respective contracting members.

The front wall of the base is cut away! to receive a drawer 118 which is supported on the bottom plate 115 and inclosed within a housing 119, and this drawer contains a Well saturated ink pad 120 for supplying ink to the rollers 56. The operation of the machine is as follows A check is placed on the base cover plate 11 and the check gage properly adjusted to secure printing along the desired line. The lever 72 is then operated to raise the gripping rollers 69 allowing the check to be moved onto the feed rollers 12 and in proper position for printing. A selected line of type is brought into printing position by turning the dial wheel 30 to bring, the corresponding indication thereon under the pointer 39. The lever 25 is then given an angular throw to cause the printing operation and as the pressure on the lever is released, thus allowing the type wheel to move away from engagement with the platen, the check is automatically fed for; ward the proper distance to place it in position to receive the next impression.

What [claim is:

The Y 1. In a machine of the character de-- scribed, a platen, a type carrier having a plurality of lines of type thereon, means for moving the carrier to bring a elected line of type into printing position, means for moving the platen and the type carrier relatively toward each other to impress a check held between them, a support for the check, means for automatically feeding the check variable distances to obtain a uniform space between the words or characters printcd,ad means for prmleterminiug the length of such space, and means for autowheel secured to said shaft, a spacing bar having a variable movement, means carried by the type Wheel for moving the spacing bar a distance determined by the line of type to be printed, and means actuated by the movement of said spacing bar for imparting rotation to said feed rollers through the medium of said toothed wheel.

3. The combination, in a check writing machine, of a support for a check, a platen and a fixed support therefor, a revolubly supported type wheel having a uniform reciprocating lllOVOlIlOIli; to impress a check held between the platen and a selected line of type, a revolubly supported shaft, feed rollers secured to said shaft, a toothed wheel secured to aid shaft, a spacing wheel secured to said type wheel and having a mutilated periphery, a s 'iacing bar adapted to he engaged by the periphery of said spacing wheel and havlng a variable movement determined by the line of type to be printed. and means actuated by the movement of said spacing bar for imparting rotation to said feed rollers through the medium of said toothed wheel, for the purpose specified.

-l. The combination, in a check writing machine, of a support fora check, a platen and a fixed support therefor, a revolubly su}' ported type Wheel having a uniform reciprocating movement to impress a check held between the platen and a selected line of type, a revolubly supported shaft. feed rollers secured to said shaft, a toothed wheel secured to said shaft, a spacing wheel secured to said type wheel and having a mutilated periphery, a spacing bar adapted to be engaged by the periphery of said spacing wheel and having a vaiiable movement determined by the line of type to be printed, means actuated by the movement of said spacing bar for imparting rotation to said feed rollers through the medium of said toothed. wheel to effect a movement of the check along the said support a distance equal to the length of the word or character printed plus a uniform space, and adjustable means for predeterminmg the length of such space.

'5. The combination, in a check writing machine, of a support for a check, a platen and a fixed support therefor, a revolubly supported type wheel having a uniform reciprocatmg movement to impress a check held between the platen and a selected line of type, a revolubly supported shaft, feed rollers secured to said shaft, 2. toothed wheel secured to said shaft, a spacing wheel sefor engaging said toothed wheel to lock the feed rollers against .further rotation when the check has been advanced a distance determined by the movement of said spacing" bar.

6. In a check writing machine, a shaft, a type wheel having a plurality of lines of type thereon and a spacing wheel having a mutilated periphery both secured to said shaft, a support in which said shaft is revolubly mounted, manually operable means for imparting a uniform reciprocation to said support, and a spacing bar guided by said support and adapted to be engaged by the periphery of said spacing Wheel in the manner and for the. purpose specified.

7. In a check writing machine, a shaft, a type wheel having a plurality of lines. of type thereon. and a spacing wheel having a mutilated periphery both secured to said shaft, a support in which said shaft is rev.

olubly mounted, manually operable means for unpartlng a uniform reciprocation to said support, 'u-shaped spacing bar guidedby said support, and a projection on such bar adapt l o be engaged bythe periphery of said spacing wheel in the manner and for the purpose specified.

8. In a check writing machine, a shaft, a

the parts to inoperative position, a spacing bar guided by said support and adapted to be engaged by the periphery of said spacing wheel in the'manner and for the purpose specified, and elastic means for returning the said bar to its starting position independent of the return movement of the said support.

9. In a. check writing machine, a casing having guideways therein, a yoke slidable in said guideways, a shaft revolubly mounted in said yoke, a type wheel having a plurality-of lines of type. thereon and a spacing wheel having a mutilated periphery both secured. to said shaft, manually operable means for moving said support to bring the type wheel into operative position, elastic means for returning the part-s to inoperative position, a spacing bar guided in said yoke and adapted to be engaged by the periphery of said spacing wheel in the manner and for the purpose specified, and elastic means for returning the said bar to its starting position independent of the return inovernentof the said support.

10. in a check writing machine, a revolubly supported shaft, feed rollers secured to the shalt. a ratchet wheel secured to the shaft, a vertically movable guide bar, a. ratchet bar pivoted at one end to said guide bar, elastic means for holding the ratchet bar in engagement with said ratchet wheel, a guide plate slotted to receive both the said bars, a lever fulcruined its center and having pivotal connection a: one end with said guide bar, a reciprocating spacing bar having pivot-a1 connection with the other end of said lover, a reciprocating type carrier, and means controlled by the movement of the type carrier for effecting through the action of the spacing bar and said lever a reciprocation of both said guide bar and said ratchet bar in the manner and for the purpose speci lied.

ii. In a check writing machine, a revolubly supported shaft, a ratchet wheel secured to said shaft, a ratchet bar adapted in its downward movement to effect a rotation of said wheel. a vertically movable guide bar io which the upper end of-said ratchet bar is pivoted, an elastic connection between said bars for yicldin 'ly holding: the ratchet bar in engagement with said wheel, means for guiding said bars. a manually operable lever, and means controlled by the operation of said lever for raising and lmverine the guide bar to eiiect a reciprocation of the ratchct'bar in the manner and for the purpose specified.

12. In a check writing machine. a revolubly supported shaft, a ratchet \vlu-cl secured to said shaft, a ratchet bar adapted in its downward movement to effect a rotation of said wheel, a vertically movable guide bar to which the upper end of said ratchet bar is pivoted, an elastic connection between said bars l or vieldingly holding the ratchet bar in engagement with said wheel, means for guiding suid bar a manually operable lever, means controlled by the operation of said lever for raising and lowering the guide bar to 'cli'cct a reciprocation oi the ratchet bar in the manner and for the purpose specified. and an adjustable stop for limiting tho downward movement of the guide bar.

13. In check writing machine, a revo lubly supported shaft, a ratchet Whecl secured to said shaft, a rarch t bar adapted in its downward movement to efi'ect a rot-in tion of said Wheel, a vertically movable guide bar to which the upper end said ratchet bar is pivoted, an elastic connection between said bars for yielding'ly hold in the ratchet bar in engagement with wheel, means for guiding said bars, a Inenir ally operable lever, means controlled by the operation of said lever for raising and low-rering the guide bar to cfi'eci a reciprocation of the ratchet bar in the manner and for the purpose specified, and a stop engaged by the ratchet bar in its downward movement to cause such bar while in. engagement with said stop to lock the ratchet Wheel against rotation.

14. In a check Writing machine, a revolubly supported shaft, a ratchet Wheel secured to said shaft, a ratchet bar adapted in its downward inoveinent'to effect a rotation of said wheel, a vertically movable guide bar to which the upper end of said ratchet bar s pivoted, an elastic connection between said bars for yiedingly holding the ratchet bar in engagement with said wheel means for guiding said b: 's, manually operable lever, means coi'itrolled by llldopei ation oi said lever for raising and lowering the guide bar to el'l'cct a reciprocation of the ratchet bar in the manner and for the purpose specified, an adjustable stop for limiting the downward movement of the guide bar, u.nd a second adjustable stop ongaged by the ratchet bar in its downward movement to cause such bar While in engagement with said second named stop to lock the ratchet wheel against rotation, both said stops being simuliancously engaged by their respective contacting members.

15. in a check writing machine, a support for a check, a rovolubly supported shaft, a ratchet wheel secured to the shaft, feed rollers secured to the shaft, a ratchet bar and means for holding the same in yielding engagement with the ratchet Wheel, a reciprocating type carrier. moans i'orsi'ripping the check from the type in the return movement of the type carrier after the printing operation, andconnections between l'hetypo carrier and the ratchet bar for cli'cc'liiug through Hie movement of the carrier a rcciproi'x-ilion o'i' said bar in the manner and mthe purpose specified. said connections provid mg for a lost motion to prevent rotation of lho said ratchet wheel by said bar until the said function of the stripper has been pcr formed. 

